Tech Mahindra and Cisco devise 5G factory blueprint for Industry 4.0

Tech Mahindra and Cisco have come up with a new digital factory blueprint that puts 5G at the heart industrial operations. Tech Mahindra said the solution sets a model for IT-OT integration and security.

The solution covers certain factory functions, including wireless networking on the shop floor, and networking connectivity and data integration between information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT). The solution also sets out a model for high-grade cyber-security, it said.

It seems the 5G element, trailed in the announcement, comes from Tech Mahindra’s stated focus to leverage 5G to address “customer’s evolving and dynamic needs” as part of the company’s so-called TechMNxt charter, which it claims focuses on helping clients to build ecosystems that support “collaboration in the real sense”. Tech Mahindra is working with start-ups and research institutions to co-develop digital-change solutions.

Meanwhile, Tech Mahindra has also launched an ‘IoT Sandbox’, a persona based IoT solution finder to help enterprises identify and implement the correct IoT solution. It uses “persona across categories from (various) industries”, from sundry types of manufacturing through to retail and healthcare, to focus-down on appropriate solutions, said Tech Mahindra.

Nilesh Auti, global head of Tech Mahindra’s manufacturing industry unit, said: “Factory equipment holds a great deal of meaningful data which is key to any successful Industry 4.0 project. Tech Mahindra’s solution in partnership with Cisco, will enable us to leverage this data and empower manufacturers to build factories of the future.”

B. Raghavendran, managing director for partner organisation at Cisco India, said: “The convergence of IT and OT is transforming the manufacturing Industry. This partnership is uniquely positioned to help unite IT and operations for digital manufacturing initiatives while enhancing efficiency and increasing profitability for our customers.”

The announcement comes as the Indian government has constituted a working group on a new industrial policy (the country’s third, after government backed programmes in 1956 and 1991) to position India as a hub for digital manufacturing and Industry 4.0, and drive improvement in its manufacturing sector.

Nokia has made its factory in Chennai, in India, an exemplar for digital manufacturing techniques, including use of private LTE. HP India has recently signed an agreement with the government of the southern Andhra Pradesh state to build a Center of Excellence for 3D printing.